Grooming

Author: Denise Partlow

Instagram: @modernk9 Carolinas

Many of us know that socializing your puppy properly includes the exposure of outside stimuli through positive experiences. This may look like your dog watching other dogs playing at a park but sitting quietly with you while he does so OR going to a festival and keeping your dog engaged to help them become accustomed to loud noises.

But did you know that one of the components to proper socialization is based on Grooming?!

Yup! One of the many things that is necessary to expose your puppy to is the sensation of being touched, stroked, brushed, poked and prodded throughout their body.

So many owners wait till their puppies are older to get their first grooming but this just puts a lot of added stress on to your dog.

Instead prepare your puppy for all of these things by incorporating them into his daily routine. You can help your puppy be ready for his first grooming or a vet appointment by creating positive associations to touching different parts of his body such as his ears, paws and tail as well as being comfortable around a nail clipper or Dremel, moving his jowls and looking inside his mouth and even using a brush.

Puppies are so much more accepting to this kind of handling so don’t wait until your dog is older.

What are some ways you have helped your dog to be comfortable with being handled? See mine in the comments.

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